COLUMBUS, OH – HB 203, a bill that seeks to update Ohio’s concealed carry program, has passed the Ohio House with a 62 to 27 vote, and will now be forwarded to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

HB 203 has significant support as shown by the overwhelming House vote. Buckeye Firearms Association and the NRA have both endorsed the legislation, which seeks to make many improvements to Ohio’s concealed carry laws.

The bill would strengthen the background checks required to obtain an Ohio Concealed Handgun License (CHL). Under the bill, Ohio CHL applicants would need to pass a NICS-compliant background check (National Instant Check System), making it compatible with more states. This improvement will also help prevent people with mental health disqualifiers who have been entered into the federal database from obtaining a CHL.

The bill would also move Ohio to an automatic reciprocity system, relieving the Attorney General from the requirement to sign agreements with every state for reciprocity. The Attorney General would still be permitted to sign agreements if needed, but the bill seeks to streamline the process and open up agreements with states such as Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Georgia with which Ohio does not currently have agreements.

“Reciprocity remains a critical issue for people with a CHL,” said Jim Irvine, President of Buckeye Firearms Association. “Background checks have been a hot topic since the Newtown killings, and ours has some issues that should be addressed. This bill makes sure people with disqualifying offenses are not issued CHL’s. This is something everyone should be happy about.”

The bill would also update the requirements and disqualifications to obtain an CHL. Currently there are different standards to possess a gun under federal and state law, and different still to obtain a CHL. HB 203 harmonizes Ohio law with federal law so that someone who is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm will not be issued a CHL. Ohio would also be able to issue licenses to out-of-state residents, something many other states already do.

Under the bill, required topics for Ohio CHL training would remain the same, but the arbitrary mandate that requires instructors to spend 12 hours covering those topics would be reduced to four hours. Most experienced instructors agree that the same training can be covered in less time.

“Ohio has one of the nation’s most egregious CHL training requirements,” said Irvine. “Other states have seen that more people get training when the time requirement is reduced. We are strong advocates of training and want to see more people become trained in the safe use of firearms. But padding the classes to fill 12 hours when the same information can be effectively covered in less time makes no sense.

“People are exhausted at the end of a long 12-hour day or at the end of two 6-hour days. They lose their concentration and stop learning at some point. By covering the same material in less time, we think applicants will learn and retain more information.”

Finally, HB 203 seeks to modify the state’s self-defense law. Current law specifically states that a person has no duty to retreat before using deadly force if that person is in he or her own home or automobile. HB 203 would expand that to anyplace that a person lawfully has the right to be.

“The law should not impose specific ‘duties’ on people whose lives are in jeopardy,” observed Sean Maloney, a Cincinnati-area attorney specializing in self defense and firearm law. “It should protect the innocent and their right to defend their own life from criminal attack. The bill would not otherwise change the threshold to legally use lethal force in defending one’s life.”

Buckeye Firearms Association is dedicated to defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation.

As a firearms instructor for more than two decades, I vehemently oppose reducing the training from 12 hours to four hours. While that may be sufficient to meet the letter of the law, it is not sufficient to make safe gun handlers out of persons who have never handled a gun in their lives. This is totally irresponsible on the part of the legislature and Buckeye Firearms Association.

Seth
November 21, 2013 at 4:56 pm

Sorry Rich, but the 2nd amendment has nothing to do about acquiring a level of training that meets your approval. People have a basic human right to self-defense regardless of the amount of training they obtain.

Rich take 12 hours in your course if you feel that is necessary, but please don’t speak for the rest of us and our training methods. I find it interesting that you feel you can speak for the rest of us who instruct… Sounds like you are part of the ruling elite who ‘thinks’ it knows what is best for everyone….hmmmm…

VG Smith
November 21, 2013 at 12:54 pm

Very glad to see Ohio moving to eliminate the “Run Away” law now in effect. We in Ohio should not be required to follow the Monty Python School of self-defense.
Thanx, VGS

Ginny
November 21, 2013 at 7:39 pm

It’s a personal responsibility for each of us to continue our education and proficiency with our guns. whether it is a 12 hour or 4 hour training…we don’t have to have either training because of our Constitution…(like the Second Amendment)…I was taught by my Grandfather in a half hour training…the practice however took a lot longer. So…what in the world is there to learn in 12 hours that I could learn in 4?

As far as the “Run Away” law…. If ever faced with that decision, fearing for my life…I would shoot to kill…
I will never run.

John
November 21, 2013 at 10:51 pm

No way is 4 hours enough time to train people as to the law especially concerning stand your ground and the issues of using deadly force. I called my Senator ant told him to vote NO….Not enough training and if it does pass, they will be lining up going to jail for their ignorance of the law…